Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon fishing report w/e 3rd February 2018.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon fishing report w/e 3rd February 2018.

The river Tay opened on the 15th January undeterred in slightly milder conditions for a couple of days before returning to cold frosty conditions again, scores of anglers flocked to the banks of the river to mark the opening of the salmon season with great publicity in the press and on television. The various issues and activities appeared on Television, Radio and Press giving the river extremely high exposure that was invaluable. It has been a reasonably quiet start to the season with good water by and large but cold.

The third week has seen a similar weather pattern continue however there has been another big river from rain and snow melt settling to higher water levels and good conditions for fishing by the end of the week. Expectation is high on the river for 2018 after a string of successful springs over the last 5 years and hopefully settled weather over the coming weeks will give everyone a chance of landing a spring "Bar of Silver".

Beat catches reported
(week ending 3rd February)
SALMON & GRILSE: Islamouth 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 1, Murthly 1 1, Glendelvine 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dalguise 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1.
Total: 8 Largest: Dalmarnock 27lbs

Odd Spring salmon were landed last week in mixed weather and river conditions favouring those who braved the elements in some cases. The river is settling back nicely for the coming week with a colder forecast returning. Seven fresh spring salmon were recorded last week. It is early yet with only small runs coming into the river and fluctuating weather can make fishing difficult. Some of the fish that have been caught are memorable as typical Tay specimens due to their size and depth. Hopefully there will be a lot more of them to come.

A typical Tay fish was caught on Dalmarnock earlier in the week weighing an impressive 27 pounds. Islamouth only started fishing on Thursday but immediately caught a cracking 16 pounds fish to get their season up and running.

Meikleour and Upper Islamouth then got their season going as did Dalguise on Friday. Meikleours fish fell to a Tomic on the harl weighing 9 pounds meanwhile at Dalguise Ian King caught a 7 pounds fish fly fishing in the Otterstone pool on a Yellow Monkey.

Saturday saw Murthly get off the mark with a sixteen pounder and Glendelvine land their third fish of the season for Scott Latimer from the boat.

Further up the system a superb 14 pounds fish fell to Jordon Grant fishing the fly on the Port-na-Craig beat of the Tummel on the Pitlochry Angling Club beat under the Dam.
These were disappointing figures but with a settling river the coming week should see improved catches with a good forecast as well.
The Spring Salmon fishing was well and truly underway after all the excitement of opening day's celebrations. It has been a quiet start but let us hope the season lives up to every one's expectations over the coming weeks and months. Tight lines!

If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in the reports.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White